3) Belgium Life

This is the last day I am in Czech. I am in the Prague airport waiting the flight back to States right now. I saw the place we met the first day in the airport, it seems like everything happened yesterday. I miss all my friends already. I really had great time in Europe, maybe I will come back to Europe for graduate school someday. 

I visited one of my friend in Belgium. My friend told the tuition in Europe is not that bad even for international students. The other day I was in Belgium waiting the train from Brussels to Liege, I met a local ladie there, she told me the locals still needs to pay there tuition for the collage, however, there are a lot of scholarships. Students need to search by themself and the scholarship is easy apply. However, the young people in Belgium not really interested in go to collage. There is other thing really interesting. I feel the people in Belgium don't have much work either. The shop all close around 6pm. I traveled to gant on Monday. I was planed to visit a pretty castle in gant. I took 2hours from the train station to the castle, however, when I got there, the castle was closed on Monday. Because it was Pentecost day. "Pentecost (Ancient Greek: Πεντηκοστή [ἡμέρα], Pentēkostē [hēmera], "the fiftieth [day]") is the Greek name for Shavuot, the Feast of Weeks, a prominent feast in the calendar of ancient Israel celebrating the giving of the Law on Sinai. This feast is still celebrated in Judaism as Shavuot. Later, in the Christian liturgical year, it became a feast commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ (120 in all), as described in the Acts of the Apostles 2:1–31.^[1] For this reason, Pentecost is sometimes described by some Christians today as the "Birthday of the Church". This is a Christians holiday, people may should have a break. But, after all the weekends and this Christian holiday, there is another day break on Thursday. All the train stop working, actually, the train stopped working from Wednesday evening at 10pm. I was taking the train from Brussels to Liege. There was stop between this two stops. I was so surprised they just stopped the train on one of the stops and tell us they are leaving. We need take bus or taxi back to home.  
In Belgium, not all the people can speck English, but it is better than we were in Czech. If you travel to Belgium,there is a possibility you will fell lost your translate if you cannot speck French.
The chocolate definitely worth to try. And also, you cannot miss the waffles and beer. I feel like all the European countries are saying they are having the best beer in their own country.
When we were in Czech, the beer is way cheaper than another place I think.
If you are planing travel to Belgium in the futures someday. I highly recommend you but the train pass. The pass will cost 57 Euro and you can use 10 times. In Belgium has very convenient public transpositions. You have to fill the tickets out before you get on the train, otherwise you have to pay fine.
The other thing I want to say is when you doing the Tax Refund you should be more careful.This is what I learned this time. Generally, you can do the Tax Refund 30 days before you leave the county. You can do Tax Refund in any Shen-gen country, but it has to be the last departure airport on your journey; The second thing, since all the Shen-gen countries use different currency, the airport you go, they will use their own currency. For example, in my case, I bought things in Italy, on the paper shows I suppose get 180 Euro back, but is you go to Prague airport, you can only get 150 Euro. Because Prague airport only can shows CZK in their system, if you want to Euro or Dollar, they have to doing the exchange, and the exchange rate is generally not really good. The last thing, if can do the credit card refund. You can write your credit card number on the paper, and leave everything there. It might will take one month to process, and it has big possibility you will get nothing. If you would rather doing it by cash, Do not fill your card number in that paper, otherwise, you wouldn't get any cash back. Actually, I've done this tax refund things is some different counties before, this is the first time I am so confused. I think European Union definitely helps these countries develop their economy, however,when I was doing the tax refund thing, I feel like there still have some thing they are not really connect to each other.  
I can't believe this is end of the program already. I really had good time during this program. I am so thankful every person I met during this semester. Wish you all the best. 

1) Trip to Budapest

We took our final before we start out trip to Budapest. We left on May 15th in the afternoon. After class we went back to dorm and packed everything. We left around 7PM. We took the bus from Olomouc to Brno. We stop in Brno about 4 hours. Actually, it is not really bad. We had fun there. We went to KFC had supper. Then we went to the movie theater. We watched movie called Pitch Perfect. That was really good movie. you can either choose the English speaking with Czech subtitle, or Czech speaking. After that we were walk around. Brno defintaly is bigger than Olomouc, so you should be careful when you walk around. It is bad ideal if you walk around by yourself during the night. Later on, we find a bar where we went last time. We had couple drink and then we went back to the bus station waiting for our next bus from Brno to Budapest. We arrived in Budapest on May 16th, in the morning. There was a ATM in then train station. So you don't have to worry about how to get the currency. And also, there is the train pass you can buy. You either use the cried card or cash you get the subway ticket. Because the hostel check in time started at 2, when we got to the hostel, we wound able to check in.. So we were just waiting in the hostel, get WIFI.. talk with friends, whatever, to kill time. Then we decided to walk around in Budapest since we have plenty of time. We left our luggage in the hostel and went out. Budapest is busy city. Since we bought the train pass, so we took the subway. The subway is so old and poor. But it is ok, it is still running. At least, it can take you to the place you want. We went to the Szent Istvan Bazilika  and St. Stephen's Basilica. And also we visited the Parliament Building, which is Budapest's landmark. Parliament Building is the largest country in mainland Europe will be building (the second largest in Europe). Capitol was built in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, was designed and supervised the construction of the famous Hungarian architect Imre Steindl. Building a total of 691 rooms, meeting rooms and halls, 27 doors, staircases total length of over 20 kilometers. I am highly recommend you visited there during the night. Everything looks so gorgeous with the lighting.
I took the picture in the same place during the day time and night time. However, I cannot upload my pictures. I will try to upload the pictures later if it will works.
My first favorite part is we went to the hot spring in Szechenyi-gyogyfurdo, which is located in Hungary City Park. Its Europe's largest spa and the water from two springs. It has inside and out side different pool. It is wonderful place to go and relax. After this we had some lunch around hostel, then we took nap.
The second favorite thing is we did the Escape thing.Its like a team work game. Basically, it is you are trapped in the house, you need find out the thing and escape from the room. That was really fun.
After that we had some local food and walk around and enjoin the night view.
I really had fun in Budapest. Actually we didn't do must sightseeing, it's, more like a relaxing trip for me.
Then we took the bus came back on May 18th. I feel like the times fly. It is almost the end of the semester. It is really sad to think about it.Anyway, we should enjoying the time we are together. Having fun in Europe.

9) Field Trip 3: Krakow, Auschwitz

"Brzezinka, Poland- The most terrible thing of all, somehow, was that at Brzezinka the sun was bright and warm, the rows of graceful poplars were lovely to look upon, and on the grass near the gates children played.

It all seemed frighteningly wrong, as in nightmare, that at Brzezinka the sun should ever shine or that there should be light and greenness and the sound of young laughter. It would be fitting if at Brzezinka the sun ever shone and the grass withered, because this is a place of unutterable terror."-- <No News from Auschwitz> by A.M.Rosental.

On May 10th, 2015. we checked out hostel and went to Auschwitz, which is located in southeast of Krakow, about 1 hour drive. We first stop in Auschwitz 1 camp, then the Auschwitz Concentration Camp.During the World War 2, German Nazi built these camp. The main purpose of this camp is to be set up or carry out the killing of the Jews to their extremely harsh working inmates, inhuman or collective executions of human experiments. 

Those are the Cyklon B cans. Cyklon B was produced by Degesch company. Nazi were used it put in the chamber to kill people.

There was 1.1 millions people dead during that time.Actually, it is hard to image how large group people will be until I saw these shoes. It's so mournful to see all these innocent people were killed by Nazi.

On the wall, there is hundreds of people's pictures who was killed in the camp. Each picture shows when did they took the picture and when they were killed. There was a guy he only stay for one day after he took the picture. It's hard to image what is on their mind when they took picture. They all know they will be killed soon or latter after they took the pictures. You can tell from their hopeless faces and despairing eyes, their are suffering torment. 

People wrote their name on the luggage. But they never get change to get the luggage back. 

I think Auschwitz definitely should be preserved as a museum and open to public. Auschwitz camp not only shows the darkness periods of Jewish,but also always remand people the war always bring to people huge tragedy. I think every human more or less has the dark side, and this is why bullying is everywhere. Hitler is not the special case, but he showed world what will happen when the person's darkness is explored extreme big. I hope all the countries will more focus on peace and development rather than increase their military force only.

Before we went to Auschwitz, we spend two days in Krakow. The first day on our field trip we visited the Wieliczka Salt Mine.That was really impressive how deep it actually is. 

Then we went to the hostel, and checked in. The food around hostel are really good. We walked around and visited the beautiful Wawel Royal Castle. My favorite part is went to the Old Town Square, had some drink, and relax. 

 We met this guy in the Old Town Square. He is going to married in one week, I think this is kind of traditional maybe. The guy will wear some kind of costume walk around and ask for the money. Maybe they just do it for fun.

There is also a market in the Old Town Square. You can buy the souvenir over there.I really enjoined my trip. Obviously, Auschwitz is the most impressive place for me during this trip, even though we only stay for one day. 

1) Daily Life

I've been Olomouc most almost 2 mouths already. However, I feel I haven't really been any where beside go to the class.So I deiced walk around a little bit, since the weather is really nice out side.

I went to the cafetiere in the dorm,actually, the food is not bad. They don't speck English when you older the food. What I did is follow the people. I just saw a guy in front of me, he had some chicken leg and potatoes, that looks pretty good to me. So I just told them, Dam si jeste jednou, prosim. I was so surprised that worked out. I didn't put any money in my student card. However, when you checked out,even you will pay by cash, you still need to show the student card first.  This is what I got, it only cost me 37Korun.

I found I spot to sit down. Later on there was a student come over and sit with me. He told me there was a hill close to the dorm. I need to go there sometimes.

I didn't went to the hill right way after lunch. But I went all the way up to the hill when I came back from the St. Wenceslas Cathedral. I went to the inside of the Church is some stands and tables with some Brochures just like other church we visited. There was some coffin in the basement. I didn't spent too much time there. After that I went to the museum . There is the tickets price. If you want to do the school group, you have to have the professor with you. 

After all of this, I had a supper in the downtown square.I walk back to the dorm this time. Then, I went to the hill place which is the guy told me when I was eat in the cafeteria.  It's not hard to find the way go there. There only one way only can take you going up. I was keep walking, Then I saw the Bar in there.And some local people just drives to there have the picnic.   

I saw a lot of people just walk their dog come from the other side, So I just keep walking. There was kind of a rock road.I used to hiking with my father when I was little, I think that is why makes me like to walk around, go somewhere I've never been. That was a long way to walk. Finally, I got out from there, but I have no ideal where I am at. Obviously, I am far away to the city center. I just went to the small shop on the street. luck me, he knows what I am talking about,he drew me the map tell me how to go to the bus station. Then I wait about 20 mins to get in the last bus 16 get back to the city center.  

I might a Czech girl in the bus station. She told me she wanted to do study abroad, however she is so scared to go other country. I was scared to do study abroad at the first time. Because I can't speck their langue and don't know any one in other country. Now, I am so glad I did study abroad, which give me more experience in my life. 

10) Spring Break in Italy

After our field trip in Venice, I traveled with Marissa,Neiley, Keyli,Jordan,and Kara in Italy. I like them a lot. They made this trip special.

Our first stop is Cinque Terre. Definitely, Cinque Terre is my favorite in Italy.I would recommend you travel to Cinque Terre, which is five land. Monterosso al mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. If you get chance travel to Italy, you have to be there.

It's not hard from Venice get to Cinque Terre. What you need to do is go to the train station one or two days ahead, and get tickets. Then get to the station found which line you should get on the train. There always has the information center there. If you confusing about your stop or anything, you can talk with them. 

We spend 3 days in Cinque Terre. When we got to the hostel, it was almost 6PM. Everything was almost closed. We deiced to eat in our hostel.Actually, the food was pretty good. I had pasta with muscles, and backed fish with lemon on it. That was better than I expect. We didn't go out at that night. I met a Chinese girl in our hostel. We had good conversation. I think the best part stay in hostel is you always can meet new people and make new friends.  

The second day, we took the ferry traveled in different lands. We went to the Monterosso al mare, to be honest the sand is not really soft like I thought, but the best part is I did the skywings. 

The pilot is 45 years old, he did this almost 20 years already. He drives me up to the mountain. There was a flat land. After he checked wind, we set up everything we need. He told me the only thing I need to do is run. When I was in the sky, everything is in my eye. I feel we are so blessed in the world. The other day, we found out take the train is way cheaper than the ferry. We deiced to take the train. We did hiking in the Manarola. I was so surprised that graffiti is every where. In China graffiti is forbidden in the public. I didn't see much Graffiti in America either.   

We left the third day in the morning. We when to Florence, Pisa, and Roma for our rest of the trip.   

I feel Florence is a romantic city, it is kind of similar with Praha. Pisa tower is a incredible construction, which took about 200 years to finish it.

Roma, Colosseo is magnificent construction even though it was destroyed. It is hard to imaged that a man fight with the lion. I feel people had cold heart back to that time, they willing to pay for ticket get in colosseo to watch the show. They don't care slaves life, only enjoined show, which was kind of scared me about the class line. Actually, there still have the invisible line in our community. Like, wealth and poor; women and men. When you go to the restaurant, the waiters may treat you differently if you wear nice and fancy cloth; The company generally give more opportunity to the men. However,nowadays, everything is getting better compare to the past.  

I love my trip. I can't wait for next travel!

8) Field Trip 2: Vienna and Venice

My second field trip started on Monday, April 6th. The first stop in Vienna which is the capital in Austria.We spent 2 nights in Vienna.The weather wasn't that good when we were there, it is still kind of cold, but I had good time there. We walked around after checked in the hostel. We met two guys,they were dressed up on the street,and we got the opera tickets from that two guys. I was so excited to watched Opera in Vienna. However, when I got there, I was so disappointed by everything. That was only 10 people doing the performing. Anyway, lesson learned, never believing the people trying to sell the tickets on the street. you should actually doing some study before you travel. The good thing is I went to the real Vienna State Opera House eventually. If you travel to Vienna, I am highly recommend you to experience the real Opera in Vienna. You can get the schedule online, and get tickets in the Vienna State Opera House. I got the cheapest ticket. No site. But there was a little screen on the hand rail, which help to understand the lyric. There is one thing really surprised me , which is the shop all closed around 19:00-19:30. It is hard to believe the business all closed so early. We were trying to got some late supper to eat,however, everything was closed.
I also tried the famous Cafe shop in Vienna. I heard the story about Vienna cafe. After the War, Turkey left some coffee in Vienna, nobody knows what is it, but a business man. He got all the coffee. At first people not used to drink it. Then, he mixed coffee with sugar and honey. People star to like it.The coffee shop star to become popular in Vienna, most people went to coffee shop to talk about political,music,and academic. There is a famous word: If I am not home, then, I am in the cafe shop. If I am not in the Cafe shop, I am on the way to cafe shop." The classic combination is coffee and croissant. Most people think the Croissant original from France. Actually, Croissant from Austria. After two day in Vienna, we went to Venice.

Venice such a beautiful, romantic city no mater at day time or at night.Venice is quite different city than Vienna.I fell Venice is more relaxing. People seems really enjoin they life, you can always see the small on their face. About the food, you have to try the To go Pasta. That is my favorite Pasta so far. To go past is cheap and delicious. I had four cheese Pasta.White source, rich cheese. yum~ I love it a lot.  

 We were walk around in Venice at night. That was really fun.   

Burano, lovely city! Burano, it have to be on your to go list! Burano is not a big city, but all there colorful building are worth to visit. You can pay 20 to get a day ferry ticket. You can use the ticket to travel in different island. you have to found out which line you need to take in different island. Otherwise,you may go back to where you were at if you take the wrong line.    

   This is a good start for my really spring break. There is one thing I learned from this trip, You should study the city before you travel to there, which will helps a lot to organize your free time in this trip. After all, I am so glad I am doing study abroad in Europe.   

2. Academic Life

Before I came to Czech. I've read some about the book<The trail> written by Franz Kafka.The book talk about the main character K was arrested by no reason.The first time he went to court, and give a speech. However, people seems like don't really understand what does he talk about. Somehow, he was killed at the end. At first, I cannot get it. I have no ideal what is he trying to say in the book. Later on, during my lecturer classes, I learned some history about Czech and Germany.I assume K is represent Kafka himself. Kafka was born on the inequality social. People think German is more noble than the Jewish people. People are even judged by what kind of language they use. Most people can speck at least two different languages, because when they go to different stores, they will speck different languages. Kafka was born in a Jewish family. Luckily, Kafka's family is the kind of 'noble' Jewish family. Kafka can use fluent German and gets good quality education, but he still think he is Jew, he has no choice to choose his family.However, most Jewish people consider doesn't belong to Jew. Maybe ,this is why, at the begging of the <The Trail>, K was arrested by no reason.         We also learned about the Economic about Europe.The European Union was established on 1993.Free trade and foreign direct investments influence the European economic growth until 2008 then global financial crisis. The inflection also happened in Czech. Like, the beer. Nowadays, the European's economic is crap, especially, Greece.

Czech language class. Jak se mate? Dobre~~~ Vjde~~~ Spatne~~~

In Czech, when people ask how are you, they are not just say I am good.. They will tell you they exactly feeling.Like, I am good, so so, sad...

Czech also have informal and formal two different way for the expression. For example, Ahoj and dobrý den.. Odkud jsi. And odkud jste.. Čau and na shledáno ......  

It sounds so funny when I speck Czech. The pronunciation sounds weird for me.    

I really enjoined classes, hope I can learn more about Europe.